Beverage cooling and dispensing equipment



Oct. 30, 1934. J. o. MATTI-:SON Er Al. 1,978,588

BEVERAGE COOLING AND DISPENSING EQUIPMENT Filed Jan. 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 30, 1934. J. o. MATTEsoN ET AL BEVERAGE COOLING AND DISPENSING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 13, 1935 y 5 y MQW f fw fw@ w M .d ,n Hiv N 4 a ff y?? W wfg@ f Patented Oct. 30, 1934 PATENT OFFICE BEVERAGE COOLING AND DISPENSING EQUIPMENT Jesse o. Matteson, Muskegon, Mich., and John Ehrenpreis, Clarence W. Brown, and Robert H. Guyton, Chicago, Ill., signers to the Bruns-r wick-Balke-Collender Company, Chicago, lll.,

a corporation of Delaware Application January 13, 1933, Serial No. 651,460

6 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in beverage cooling and dispensing equipment and has for one of its principal objects the provision of a compact and unitary installation of this sort which shall, in conjunction with mechanical refrigeration and a source of compressed air, be available for the ready and efficient cooling, distribution and serving of beverages, both bottled and in bulk.

One of the important objects of this inventionv is to provide in a compact beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus, \a plurality of inter-changeable sections, whereby the same may be used, as desired, for cooling and dispensing beverages in bulk or bottles or both, and which may also be used for merely the storage and pre-cooling of such beverages. I

Another important object of the invention resides in the provision of a service bar for beverages or the like and which shall be of dimensions so as to be readily fitted under the ordinary counter used for dispensing such drinks, while at the same time all space on the top of the service bar itself is available for use, thereby allowing the installation of the maximum of equipment and the handling of a maximum volume in the of space.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a service bar for dispensing beverages or the like wherein a desired temperature, within the equipment and of the contained beverage, is always maintained, whereby a highly satisfactory dispensing service results.

Another and still further important object of y the invention is to provide means for dispensing beverages from barrels or kegs, whereby the barrels or kegs themselves are installed in a refrigerating compartment of minimum dimensions, while at the same time ample and convenient access is aiorded to the top of the barrel for the installation of the usual delivery and pressure pipes.

Another important object of the invention resides in the improved type of float-valve control and associated delivery means for the refrigerant whereby a more satisfactory operation is assured.

Other and further important objects of the invention will be apparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and following specication.

The invention, in a preferred form, is illustrated in the drawings and vhereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings: y

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the improved beverage cooling and dispensing means of this invention, showing the same from the service end.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of one of the compartments in the cooler, .the same being shown as used for cooling bottled beverages.

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of one of the compartments used for cooling beverages in bulk or barrels.

Figure 6 is a sectional view showing particularly the apparatus used for cooling the beverages just prior to the dispensing operation.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view of the improved liquid cooling equipment shown in Figure 6.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates generallya cabinet in which the improved beverage cooling and dispensing equipment of this invention is housed, the same being provided at one end with an open compartment preferably covered by wire mesh or the like 12 for the free ingress of air thereto, this compartment being adapted to receive the usual compressor 14 used for refrigeration purposes and also a compressed air tank 16 and an air pump 18, all as shown diagrammatically in Figure 3.

The other compartments are provided with doors 20, 22 and 24, respectively, the doors 20 and 22 being adapted to close chambers for the reception of kegs or barrels of beverage, these kegs or barrels being indicated at 26.

The compartment closed by the door 24 is adapted f or the reception of bottles of beverage or the like, as illustrated at 28 in Figure 4, this compartment being accessible from the top by means of a lid or the like 30.

The compartments which contain the barrels or kegs are also reached from the top, through suitable openings, these being normally closed by applied to the underside of a metal plate 38 chiefly for cooling the bottles 28.

The coils 36 are soldered or otherwise fixed by means of an actual metallic Contact to the lower face of the plate 38 whereby suitable conduction of the required temperature results.

A drip pan 40 is provided beneath the plate 38 and the coils 36, this being provided with a suitable outlet pipe 42 or the like.- A plurality of orifices 44 is provided in the element joining the drip pipe 40 and the plat 38, whereby a suitable circulation of air through this space is assured.

Another drip plate or gutter 46 extends beneath the coils 34, as best shown in this figure and also in Figures 5 and 6. In Figures 5 and 6, wherein is illustrated the compartments for holding barrels, a bumper 48 is provided beneath the gutter 46 so that the same will not be damaged upon the placing of a barrel or keg in the compartment.

The usual air lines 50 lead from the air tank 16 (Figures 3 and 5) and are adapted to force the liquids in the kegs 26 upwardly and outwardly through discharge pipes 52 which are placed therein through a bunghole in the top of the bar rel. These pipes 52 and their associated connections are inserted into the barrels through the openings in the top of the kegs, which openings are normally closed by the lids 32. By means of this construction a barrel of liquid can be placed in its compartment and the air and delivery pipes, with adequate connections, then inserted into the barrel through the opening in the top of the cabinet 10; the method of installation of the pipes 52 and appurtenances being best shown by means of the dotted lines in Figure 5.

In this manner a considerable saving of space results, as the distance between the top of the barrel 26 and the bottom of the cover of the cabinet 10 can be reduced to a minimum. A delivery pipe 54 leads from each of the barrel pipes 52, these pipes having valves 56 fitted therein (Figure 3) wherein delivery from either keg or barrel can be made, as desired, to a common outlet pipe 58 and which pipe in turn delivers the beverage to the pre-cooler 60, as best shown in Figures 6 and 7.

Pipe 58 extends into a chamber 62 in the precooler 60, extending almost to the top of this chamber and terminating in a restricted opening 64, but having, however, a larger opening 66 at the base thereof adjacent the bottom of the cooler. Obviously beer or any beverage forced from the barrels or kegs 26 through the pipes 52-54-58 will eventually fill the chamber 62 and the cooler 60. The closed end of the pipe 58 with the restricted opening 64 is for the purpose of preventing bumping. Delivery from this cooling chamber is accomplished by means of a pipe 68 which leads to dispensing faucets or the like 70.

Surrounding the chamber 62 is a space between its walls and the cooler 60, which space is filled with refrigerant, which refrigerant also extends into a float chamber at the top of the cooler 60. This float chamber contains a oat 72, as best shown in Figure 7, which controls the intake of refrigerant through a pipe 74 by means of a needle valve 76. Gaseous refrigerant is withdrawn from the chamber by means of a pipe '78 which leads to a thermostat control through a pipe 82 delivering to the compressor 14.4 The iioat 72 is of the open bucket type whereby undesired mixing of refrigerant with lubricant is eliminated; and additionally, an auxiliary intake pipe for liquid refrigerant extends from the needle valve '76 downwardly, as best shown at 84, to a point of discharge inside one of the main refrigerant pipes or coils 86. In this manner the desired level of refrigerant is maintained in the cooling chamber 60 at all times; while the incoming liquid refrigerant is delivered directly to the main line thereby providing for more eicient operation. Another branch of the main line 86 is also connected to another face of the cooling chamber 60, as best shown in Figure 7.

Other features of the invention include the usual expansion valve 88, as shown in Figure 3. A sink is shown at 90 in Figure 2; glass-washing apparatus 92; a drain 94; and the usual other or desired appurtenances.

Additionally, there is inserted into the top of the cabinet 10 a series of openings 96, as best shown in Figures 2 and 4, which abut against the coils 34 and in which bottles of beverages to be cooled may be inserted for quick lowering of the temperature of the contents, and also for storage purposes so that cooled bottled beverages of different types than the bottles in the regular bottle compartment may be always available.

The various compartments are made interchangeable and also flexible so that units of various size may be conveniently built up, as, for example, two or more bottle compartments may be used or two or more barrel compartments may be employed in a unit, and these compartments may subsequently be inter-changed as necessity arises or occasion demands.

It will be evident that herein is provided a service bar or fixture for cooling and dispensing beverages which includes in a compact mechanical and efficient unit all of the necessary appurtenances for the satisfactory dispensing of such beverages; and, in addition, there is provided an improved method of refrigeration, both as regards actual cooling of the contents and the control of the refrigerant itself.

We are aware that many changes may be made and numerous details of construction varied throughout a wide range without department from the principles of this invention, and we therefore do not purpose limiting the patent granted thereon otherwise than asnecessitated by the prior art.

We claim as our invention- 1. A beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of inter-changeable compartments for bottled and barreled beverages and a common refrigeration means therefor, said refrigeration means being contained in a separate compartment associated with said first-named inter-changeable compartments, said compartment for the refrigeration means also containing means for delivering a fluid under pressure to the barreled beverage, for delivery purposes, together with delivery faucets, and a beverage pre-cooling means inserted in the pipe lines from the barrels to said faucets, said beverage pre-cooling means including a double walled chamber, the inner chamber containing a beverage under pressure and the outer chamber a refrigerant.

2. A beverage cooling and dispensing apparatus comprising a plurality of inter-changeable compartrnents for bottled and barreled beverages and a common refrigeration means therefor, said refrigeration means being contained in a separate compartment associated with said first-named inter-changeable compartments, said compartment for the refrigeration means also containing a compressor for delivering air under pressure to the barreled beverage, for delivery purposes, together with delivery faucets, and a beverage precooling means inserted in the pipe lines from the barrels tov said faucets, said beverage pre-cooling means including a chamber for containing a beverage under pressure and the refrigerant surrounding said chamber, said refrigerant being contained in an outer chamber, said last named chamber including a float control for the refrigerant for the entire system.

3. A beverage cooling and dispensing means, including a compartment for cooling bottled beverages, a bottle-supporting shelf in the compartment and refrigerating coils in the compartment, and auxiliary reirigerating coils beneath and forming a part of the bottle-supporting shelf, a compartment for receiving and cooling barreled beverages and mechanical means for both refrigerating the compartments and supplying air under pressure for dispensing the barreled beverages.

4. A beverage cooling and dispensing means, including a compartment for cooling bottled beverages, a bottle-supporting shelf in the compartment and refrigerating coils in the compartment, and auxiliary refrigerating coils beneath and forming a part of the bottle-supporting shelf, and a drip plate beneath the bottle cooling and supporting shelf, together with means for allowing circulation of air between the shelf and the plate.

5. A beverage cooling and dispensing means comprising a compressor for delivering air under pressure to original beverage containers, pipe lines from the containers to a beverage pre-cooling chamber, said pipe lines terminating in cylin drical heads having a restricted opening in the top thereof and relatively large openings at the sides thereof adjacent the bottom, and delivery means from the pre-cooling chamber.

6. A beverage cooling and dispensing means comprising a compressor for delivering air under pressure to original beverage containers, pipe lines from the containers to a beverage pre-cooling chamber, said pipe lines terminating in cylindrical heads having a restricted opening in the top thereof and relatively large openings at the sides thereof adjacent the bottom, and delivery means from the pre-cooling chamber, together with a refrigerant chamber surrounding said pre-cooling chamber, said refrigerant chamber adapted for the retention of refrigeant at a relatively low temperature and also serving as a. oat chamber for control of the liquid and gaseous refrigerant.

JESSE O. MA'r'rEsON. JOHN ErmENPREIs. CLARENCE W. BROWN. ROBERT H. GUY'roN.

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